Projected Harvests for 2026
Morocco is set to achieve a remarkable harvest of 4.4 million tons of soft wheat, alongside 2.1 million tons of hard wheat and 2.5 million tons of barley during the 2026 season, as announced by the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed El Bouari. This optimistic forecast comes after the ministry revealed in April that overall grain production is expected to double to approximately nine million tons, largely due to substantial rainfall, although specific details for each crop were not disclosed at that time.
Government Measures to Support Local Production
In a bid to bolster domestic production, the minister informed parliament that the government has increased tariffs on soft wheat during June and July, aiming to support local crops. Additionally, incentives have been introduced to stimulate the marketing of national production. The government is also striving to store around 800,000 tons of local wheat, reflecting a proactive approach to ensuring food security in the face of fluctuating global markets.
However, the path to achieving these harvest goals is fraught with challenges. Traders and millers have indicated plans to purchase between 1.5 million and 2 million tons of local wheat; nonetheless, they have raised concerns regarding labor shortages and the scarcity of harvesting machinery. Moreover, the protein content of the wheat has been reported to be lower than expected, attributed to inadequate use of nitrogen fertilizers by farmers.
As reported by Reuters, industry insiders suggest that wheat imports might resume in August if Morocco can gather at least 1.2 million tons of local wheat by July 15. This situation illustrates the ongoing need for a balanced approach between domestic production and imports to meet the country's demand. For further details, visit the original source at cnbcarabia.com.
